Inspired by Dick Cheney’s youthful enthusiasm about the “war” in Iraq, I’ve written a brief synopsis for a musical about Iraq.
Act 1: Liberation
Heavy on trumpets, flags, and narrated by a plucky young “embedded” reporter in a khaki reporter vest.
Reporter: “Back to you…”Trumpets: “bap bahda!”Reporter: [sadder this time] “Back to you…”Trumpets: “bap bahda!”Reporter: [slowly, with longing] “in Atlanta”
Act 2: The Insurgency!
Lots of minor chords and flashing lights. A longing father/son duet featuring George Bush Senior and “dubya” in the style of “Somewhere Out There” from Fivel Goes West:
Father Bush: “How many bombs…”Dubya: “How many bombs…”Father and Son together: [harmony] “until they love me”
Act 3: Victory
A three part orgasmic climax featuring the hit spin-off singles “Big Mac in Baghdad” and “Freedom is on the March” and the memorable dance number, “Give Freedom a High Five!”
Chorus: “If you’re still alive…”Chorus: “When democrazy arrives…”[High-five the person to your right and then left]Chrous: “Give Freedom a high five…”
Would the audience have the patience to wait 20 years in the theatre for act 3?
Interestingly enough, I think the dance number (with its expectation of arriving democracy) would still work even if the third act was entitled “Withdrawal” instead of “Victory.”
I’m not coming to see your show, but perhaps Michael Moore is.